Akhada Praishad upset over non-opening of Mutts, temples in Maha

The apex decision making body of the 13 recognised Hindu monastic orders of the country— Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP)— has expressed strong resentment over the non-opening of mutts and temples in Maharashtra despite Covid-19 Unlock 5.0 guidelines being released by the central government.

The parishad also condemned a tweet by the Congress leader Udit Raj wherein he has questioned spending of Rs 4,200 crore in organising Kumbh mela-2019 in Prayagraj.

“It is a matter of grave concern that saints and priests have to agitate for opening of the mutts and temples in Maharashtra. After being opened in UP, the mutts and temples are following the Corona guidelines completely and so will the ones located in Maharashtra,” said ABAP chief Mahant Narendra Giri.

He further said, “If Maharashtra CM is not opening the temples, he is insulting whom? Is he insulting the saint community and the priests or is he insulting Hindu gods and goddesses and the Sanatan dharma?”

Giri added that the Maharashtra CM’s father (late Balasaheb Thackeray), being a Hindu leader, always respected the saints. But, it seemed that the government of Maharashtra was on the wrong path of arrogance.

Meanwhile ABAP held an informal meeting at Mathura on Thursday. Saints of all the 13 akhadas attended the meeting.

Giri, after the meeting said, “It pains us to see that our temples are encroached in Kashi and Mathura and we will undertake all steps that are permissible under the constitution, to free the temple premises as was done in the case of Ayodhya.”

Giri expressed his resentment over the tweet of Congress leader Udit Raj over spending on Kumbh-2019. Reacting to the Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statement that it was not the job of a government to run institutions that teach religious scriptures, Udit Raj, on Thursday had tweeted, “No religious teachings and rituals to be funded by the Govt. The state doesn’t have its own religion. UP govt spent 4200 crore in organising the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and that too was wrong.”

Giri demanded that Udit Raj take back his statement. “He should understand that had it not been for the Kumbh, his forefathers would have not been there because it was the Kumbh and the Naga sadhus who saved us from Muslim invaders and Mughals,” he added.

If Maharashtra CM is not opening the temples, he is insulting whom? Is he insulting the saint community and the priests or is he insulting Hindu gods and goddesses and the Sanatan dharma? NARENDRA GIRI,

ABAP chief